Improving Adolescent Health Outcomes by Including Parents in Community-based Treatment for Cannabis Use

Background: Adolescent health may be influenced in many ways, such as negative neighborhood environments, low-income status, and lack of insurance for preventive health care as well as peer pressure to conform to negative health behaviors. Parents, public health workers and therapists may play key roles in supporting healthy behavior choices by youth, such as stopping frequent use of cannabis (i.e. marijuana) and risk of involvement with the criminal justice system.

Objective: This study documents reduction in cannabis use and improved social connections among adolescents who are receiving evidence-based services (Assertive Continuing Care Protocol) from a rural Community Services Board. Involvement of parents is an important component in the program.

Methods: The Global Appraisal of Individual Needs [Initial] and the Appraisal of Individual Needs Monitoring [90 Days] were used to collect information from 109 participants between 12 and 18 years old. Comparison of the number of day of drugs consumption and the last time of drug usage were made at each follow up point. Focus groups of parents and youth were held to gather feedback about perceptions of service delivery and to identify the parent's roles and suggestions.

Results: Of youth in the program, 47% were African American/Black, 76% were male, mean age was 15.95±1.22. At baseline, 81% of youth reported using marijuana during the last 90 days. After 6 months in the program, only 24% of youth reported use of marijuana within the past 90 days. Parents identified themes related to parent-youth interactions during the program.